Belt lacing setting device



June '20, 1939. .1. c. OLSEN BELT LACING SETTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheeti Filed Aug. 24, 1956 III M w v Q ud H ww ww wfi June 20, 1939; LSEN 2,162,787

-' BELT LACING SETTING DEVICE 7 Filed Aug. 24, 1936 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 20, 1939 iJNlTED STATES PATENT OFF1E John 0. Olsen, Chicago, 111., assignor to Flexible Steel Lacing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application August 24, 1936, Serial No. 97,622

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in belt lacing setting device.

In applying metal belt lacings to the ends of belts, it has been the general practice heretofore to use either a hammer or a manually operated device. Experience has shown that while this was satisfactory in smaller establishments, the use of a hammer or other manually operated device is too slow and expensive in large establish- -ments where a great number of belts must have fasteners applied on a regular production schedule. One object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a belt lacing setting device which may be used in and operated by a power press to the end that the lacings 'may be applied rapidly and with minimum effort. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a belt lacing setting device of such construction that accurate and uniform attachment of the lacing to the belt, even though the belt be composed of easily flexible material, is always insured.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a power operated lacing setting device such that 2 the holder for the lacing and usual gauge pin carried by the holder are freely movable in consonance with the edge of the belt as the teeth or prongs of the lacing are gradually forced into the belt material, thus preventing misplacement or distortion of the lacing during application and in suring true and proper positioning of the lacing with respect to the belt end when finally clinched thereto.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a setting device of the type previously indicated such that the cooperating parts are combined into two assembled units which may be readily mounted on and removed from the bolster plate and cross head of the punching or other similar power operated machine or press.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings forming a part'of this specification, Figure 1 is an end elevational View of the improved device, showing the same associated with a power punch press and indicating the relative positions of the belt end, lacing, and other parts prior to the beginning of the clinching action. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the unit assembly which is mounted on the bolster plate of the press. And Figure 3 is a front elevational View of the device.

In said drawings, Hi indicates the bolster plate of a common type of power punch press, and II the reciprocating cross head movable toward and from the bolster plate, as will be understood. In carrying out the invention, a unit assembly is provided for attachment to the bolster plate It], said unit assembly comprising a shoe l2, an anvil it, a carrier indicated broadly by the reference A, and a belt guiding unit indicated broadly by the reference 13. A second unit assembly, for attachment to the cross head H, comprises a plate M, a striking member I 5 and a pressure pad or member l6.

Referring first to the assembly attachable to the bolster plate, the shoe I2 is in the form of a relatively heavy plate or block of rectangular form suitably recessed to receive therein the anvil It in its upper face, the anvil being secured to the shoe 12 by suitable means such as the heavy machine screws H. The anvil proper, of case hardened steel or other suitable material, is of elongated form and of sufficient length to permit application of the maximum length of belt lacing to be applied at any one operation. The striking face l8 of theanvil is slightly beveled or inclined with respect to the horizontal in a downward direction from the belt guide B, for the purpose hereinafter described and as clearly shown in Figure 1 and is more sharply beveled as indicated at 19 along opposite edges of the striking face l8.

Integrally formed with or otherwise rigidly united with the shoe l 2 are two upstanding hinge lugs 204s in which is supported a hinge pin 2| having its axis extending parallel to the anvil l3. Carried by the hinge pin 26 are two arms 2222 extending forwardlytoward the anvil and which carry the holder proper for'the lacing and gauge pin. Said holder proper comprises a comb 23 secured to the arms 22 by screws or bolts 24. The comb 23 is formed with alternated ribs or partitions 25 and recesses 26, the spacing of which corresponds to the spacing of the loops of the lacing which is to be applied, one form of which is indicated at 21. At the bottoms of the recesses 26, the comb is formed with inclined faces 28 as shown in Figure l, and upper and lower plates 25 and 39 complete the comb. The ribs or partitions 25 are provided with alined perforations extending parallel to the anvil for reception of the usual gauge pin 3 I.

By inclining the striking face E8 of the anvil, 50,

the lacing is in place, serves to hold the lacing down on the anvil when the teeth of the lacing are being forced through the belt material and thus prevents the lacing and belt end 32 from being relatively displaced from correct position.

The holder assembly A is normally yieldably held elevated in spaced relation to the anvil by suitable coil springs 3333, interposed between the arms 22 and the shoe l2. Adjustable screws 32, mounted in brackets 35 secured to the shoe I2 by screws 36, are employed for the following purpose. After the lacing and gauge pin are in place in the comb, the lacing is allowed to rest on the anvil, engaging therewith along the points indicated at 53. Sufficient clearance is allowed in the comb so that, by adjusting the screws 3%, the lacing can be adjusted angularly around the gauge pin so as to set the lacing at the proper angle for the teeth thereon to assume the correct entering angle with respect to the belt end 32.

The belt guide unit B preferably comprises a block 3? secured to the shoe l2 by screws 38, said block 31 having secured thereto a base plate 39 to the side edges of which are adjustably secured edge guides 40 by means of the screws and slots 4| and 42, to thus adapt the belt guide to belts of varying width.

Referring next to the unit assembly secured to the cross head ll, said assembly comprises the heavy plate I4 heretofore referred to which is secured to the cross head H by heavy machine screws 43. Rigidly associated with the plate i l the striking member 15, heretofore referred to, the latter consisting of an elongated vertically extending heavy plate, of suitable case hardened or heat treated steel or other material. The lower striking edge 44 thereof is so positioned as to engage the belt lacing initially along the prongs as indicated at 45, said striking edge at being cut back as indicated at 46 so as to insure clearance with respect to the holder comb, as the striking member comes down, as will be understood. The pressure pad or member l6 consists of an elongated plate mounted on the striking member l so as to have relative vertical movement with respect thereto, this mounting being effected through a plurality of screws ll extending through vertically elongated slots 68 in the pressure member E6. The latter is normally yieldably held with its lower edge 69 projecting slightly below the striking edge M, by means of a series of coil springs 50 interposed between the pressure member l6 and a block 5! constituting a part of the assembly l4. Adjustable bumper screws 52 may also be employed, the same being carried by the plate I4 and alined with the arms 22 of the holder unit A, said bumper screws 52 being so adjusted that, at the final downward movement of the cross head and striking member l5, the holder unit A will be positively forced downwardly should there be any tendency of the same to lag in following the lacing as the latter is clinched to the belt end.

As shown in Figure 1, the lacing is secured to the comb ready for application to the free end of the belt 32, the latter being held by the operator properly guided by the guide unit B and with the end edge of the belt up against the comb. When the clutch is thrown in for the cross head I i, the latter descends and the striking edge 4% will initially engage the lacing along the line lli, previously referred to. As the downward movement of the cross head and striking member continues, the lower prongs of the lacing then begin to enter the material, as will be apparent. During the clinching operation, it is obvious that the lacing holder and gauge pin will freely follow the penetrating action of the prongs, maintaining at all times a proper relation between the comb and gauge pin with reference to the end of the belt and preventing angular or turning movement of the lacing with respect to the comb, thus insuring a true and proper application of the lacing to the belt end. In the case of some belts composed of relatively easily flexible material, there would be a tendency for the belt material to bend or buckle in resisting the penetration of the prongs into the material. To counteract any such action, the pressure member I6 is employed, it being apparent that the bottom edge 69 thereof will engage the belt just beyond the prongs and initially at a time somewhat after the striking edge 44 has engaged the lacing prongs and started the same into the material. As the downstroke continues, the pressure member it will gradually yield with reference to the striking edge 44 and thus insure maintenance of the belt material in line with the comb and gauge pin, and also preventing displacement of the belt with reference to the lacing during the clinching operation and insuring proper application of the lacing up to the final clinching action.

From the preceding description, it will be seen that the applying device, being made in two unit assemblies, can readily be mounted in and removed from a punch press or the like and pro vides an effective and efficient means for quickly applying belt lacings to belt ends.

In the drawings and description, reference has been had to belt lacing and one particular well known form thereof illustrated. By the term lacing it is to'be understood that the same is intended, both in the description and claims, to comprehend not only the type of belt lacing illustrated in the drawings wherein the loops are united, but also all other forms of belt end attaching fasteners such as wire hooks and staples which are frequently mounted in gangs on cards for application to belt ends in a similar manner.

There has herein been shown and described what is now considered the preferred manner of carrying out the invention, but the same is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are contemplated that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is: v

1. In a belt lacing setting device, the combination with an anvil; of a holder for the belt lacing and gauge pin, said holder extending parallel to the anvil adjacent thereto; means pivotally supporting said holder to swing about an axis parallel to the anvil; and adjustable means for determining the initial free position of said holder relative to the anvil at the beginning of the setting operation.

2. In a belt lacing setting device, the combination with an anvil; of a holder for the belt lacing and gauge pin, said holder being disposed adjacent the anvil and movably mounted relative thereto; a striking member reciprocatingly mounted with reference to the anvil to engage the lacingfand a pressure member associated with the striking member adapted to engage the belt adjacent the lacing.

3. A belt lacing setting device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said pressure member is yieldably mounted relative to the striking member. 1

4. In a belt lacing setting device, the combination withan anvil; of a belt lacing and gauge pin holder yieldably normally supported in spaced relation to the anvil and movable toward the anvil during the clinching action of the lacing; means for adjustably determining the initial position of the holder relative to the anvil for the beginning of the setting operation; and a striking member engageable with the lacing while held in the holder, said striking member being movable toward and from the anvil.

5. In a belt lacing setting device, the combination with an anvil; of a belt lacing and gauge pin holder yieldably normally supported in spaced relation to the anvil; 'a striking member'movable toward and from the anvil in line to engage the lacing while carried by the holder; and a yieldable pressure member carried by the striking member and adapted to engage the belt adjacent the lacing.

6. In a belt lacing setting device, the combina: tion with an anvil; of a belt lacing and gauge pin holder movable toward the anvil during the clinching action of the lacing; adjusting and yieldable means normally supporting said holder in predetermined spaced relation to the anvil;

and a striking member engageable with the lacing While held in the holder, said striking member being movable toward and from the anvil, said anvil, holder and yieldable means all .being mounted on a common shoe to thereby provide a unitary assembly adaptable for attachment to the bolster plate or the like of a punch press.

7. In a belt lacing setting device, the combination with an anvil having the striking surface thereof slightly beveled; of a belt guide disposed adjacent the anvil; a holder for the belt lacing and gauge pin yieldingly pivotally supported adjacent the anvil opposite the belt guide; adjustable means governing the normal free position of said holder with reference to the anvil; and a striking member movable toward and from the anvil in a line intermediate the belt guide and holder and adapted to engage the lacing when held by the holder. 7

8. In a belt lacing setting device, the combination with an anvil having the striking surface thereof slightly beveled; of "a belt guide disposed adjacent the anvil; a holder for the belt lacing and gauge pin yieldingly pivotally supported adjacent the anvil opposite the belt guide; adjustable means governing the normal free position of said holder with reference to the anvil; a

ster plate of the press; of a striking member and associated pressure member assembly unit mounted on a common plate adapted for attachment to the cross head of the press.

10. In a belt lacing setting device, the combination with an anvil having a relatively elongated striking surface; of belt guiding means disposed adjacent the anvil along one side thereof; a lacing and gauge pin holder extending along the opposite side of the anvil and yieldably supported; a striking member also relatively elongated in alinement with the striking surface of the anvil, the striking member being movable toward and from the anvil; and a relatively elongated belt-engaging pressure member yieldably mounted with respect to the striking member and engaging pressure member yieldably movably mounted relative to said striking member.

' 12. In a belt lacing setting device for use in a power operated punch press or the like, the combination of a unit assembly including an anvil, a belt lacing and gauge pin holder and a e shoe to which the anvil and holder are secured,

the unit assembly being adapted for attachment to the bolster plate of the press; of a second unit assembly including a striking member, an associated pressure member and a plate, said striking member and pressure member being secured to said plate and the unit being adapted for attachment to the cross-head of the press.

13. In abelt lacing setting device, the combination with an anvil; of a lacing striking memher reciprocatingly mounted to move to and from 1 the anvil; a holder for the belt lacing and gauge pin pivotally mounted adjacent the anvil, said holder including a comb formed to substantially prevent turning or shifting of the lacing within the comb during the setting operation; and adjustable means for regulating the normal free position of the comb relative to the anvil.

14. In a belt lacing setting device, the combination with an anvil having the striking face thereof inclined downwardly in one direction; of a holder for the belt lacing and a gauge pin, said holder being pivotally mounted on an axis disposed parallel to and spaced from the lower edge of the inclined striking face on that side remote from the upper edge of the inclined striking face; means yieldably retaining the holder in its initial position relative to the anvil for the beginning of the setting operation; and a striking member reciprocatingly mounted to move in a line to engage the belt lacing, when the latter is in the holder, at points directly opposite said inclined surface of the anvil.

JOHN C. OLSEN. 

